Elsevier

Marine Geology

Volume 49, Issues 1–2, September 1982, Pages 81-90
Marine Geology

Hydro-isostasy and the sea-level isobase of 5500 B.P. in north Queensland, Australia

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Abstract

Previous studies of Holocene sea level in north Queensland have been based on a variety of sea-level related deposits, with interpretations of mid-Holocene levels ranging from near zero up to 4 m above Present. We report data from 8 carefully controlled new sites, located from the Palm Group northwards and extending into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Field evidence is from coral reef flats and prograded coastal deposits. The highest sea level on inner shelf islands and mainland coast occurred 5500 yrs ago. The results of this and of certain previous studies are reduced to a common reference surface, or isobase, which varies systematically in elevation across the region. The isobase correlates strongly with predicted hydro-isostatic deformation caused by postglacial sea-level rise.

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    • Cited by (0)

    ∗

    Work performed while author was employed by the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences, Townsville, Qld., Australia.

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